Alice Aedy: The Visionary Filmmaker Transforming Climate Storytelling
In the rapidly evolving world of climate communication and visual storytelling, Alice Aedy stands as one of the most influential voices of her generation. A British documentary filmmaker, photographer, and activist, Alice has earned global recognition for her powerful narratives that merge art, ethics, and environmental justice. As a National Geographic Explorer, Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, and Co-Founder & CEO of Earthrise Studio, she represents a new wave of leaders redefining how the world sees — and feels — the climate crisis.
Her journey from studying history and politics at the London School of Economics (LSE) to directing award-winning documentaries and running one of the world’s most dynamic climate media platforms exemplifies purpose-driven creativity at its best. Through Earthrise Studio, Alice Aedy uses digital media to amplify human stories, empower communities, and bridge the gap between science, culture, and empathy.
Early Life and Education of Alice Aedy
A Passion for Storytelling from the Start
Born on 23 December 1993 in the United Kingdom, Alice Aedy demonstrated a strong passion for social issues and the arts from a young age. She attended the prestigious Godolphin and Latymer School in London, where she studied History, Politics, French, Spanish, and Fine Art, earning an Art Scholarship for her creative excellence. This early exposure to both analytical and artistic disciplines would later shape her signature documentary style — one that combines intellectual depth with striking visual sensitivity.
Academic Foundation in History and Politics
Between 2012 and 2015, Alice Aedy studied History and Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Her time at LSE cultivated her understanding of global structures, governance, and the socio-political dimensions of inequality and environmental change. She later pursued a Master’s degree in Ethnography and Documentary Film-making at University College London (UCL) from 2017 to 2018, where she refined her craft as a filmmaker through the Department of Anthropology’s practical film course.
Training in Documentary Practice
Before her postgraduate studies, Alice also attended MetFilm School in London (2013–2014), completing a part-time programme in Documentary Film-Making. This period gave her the technical and narrative tools to tell real stories with authenticity — a foundation that continues to guide her creative direction today.
Professional Journey and Career Growth
The Freelance Documentary Director and Producer
Alice Aedy’s professional career began in 2015 as a freelance documentary filmmaker and producer. Her work soon caught attention for its empathetic approach to human stories — particularly those dealing with displacement, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Over the past decade, she has produced and directed documentaries and campaigns featured in The Guardian, The New York Times, Vogue, BBC, and National Geographic.
Her early projects documented the lives of refugees in Calais and the Middle East, where she explored how conflict and climate change intersect to reshape human migration. Her storytelling style focuses not on tragedy, but on resilience — on the power of individuals and communities navigating the world’s most urgent challenges.
Communications Work with Choose Love
In 2016, Alice worked as a Communications Manager for Choose Love, a leading humanitarian organisation supporting refugees. For six months, she contributed to global campaigns that raised awareness and funds for people displaced by war and poverty. This experience deepened her understanding of activism and strategic communication, which she later applied to her filmmaking and advocacy work.
Earthrise Studio – Co-Founder and CEO
The Birth of a Climate Storytelling Platform
In July 2020, Alice Aedy co-founded Earthrise Studio alongside Jack and Finn Harries, both prominent environmental communicators. Based in London, Earthrise was created with a mission to “transform climate, culture, and consciousness” through innovative digital storytelling. The studio serves as both a creative agency and a media platform, producing campaigns, short films, and educational content that engage global audiences with climate science and social justice issues.
Role and Impact as CEO
As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alice leads the studio’s creative vision, strategy, and partnerships. Under her leadership, Earthrise Studio has collaborated with renowned organisations such as National Geographic, WWF, UNDP, and COP28 Dubai. Through its compelling visuals, podcasts, and campaigns, Earthrise has become a global movement for young people who believe in hope, not apathy.
The studio’s flagship initiative, A Seat at the Table, brought together diverse climate activists from across the world, giving them a platform to share their voices with policymakers. This project captured Alice’s belief that storytelling can act as a bridge between science, empathy, and action.
Media Recognition and Global Influence
National Geographic Explorer and Nikon Ambassador
Alice Aedy’s storytelling talent and commitment to global awareness earned her recognition as a National Geographic Explorer, placing her among an elite group of visual artists and scientists dedicated to protecting the planet. In 2024, she was also appointed as a Nikon Ambassador, reflecting her influence as a leading voice in visual journalism and ethical storytelling.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Honour
Her achievements were further acknowledged when she was named in Forbes 30 Under 30 (Social Impact – Europe), highlighting her contributions to media-driven climate advocacy. This honour positioned Alice Aedy as one of the most inspiring young changemakers shaping public consciousness through creativity and activism.
Artistic Vision and Storytelling Philosophy
Empathy at the Heart of Every Frame
For Alice Aedy, storytelling is not just a profession — it is an act of empathy and resistance. Her films centre around people often overlooked by mainstream narratives: refugees, women, and climate-affected communities. Through intimate cinematography and human-centred storytelling, she transforms abstract global crises into deeply personal experiences.
Connecting Climate and Culture
Unlike traditional environmental communication, which often relies on data and fear, Alice Aedy’s approach is profoundly cultural. She sees the climate crisis as a story of humanity — a test of compassion and collective imagination. Through Earthrise Studio, she has built a space where artists, scientists, and activists collaborate to reimagine how the world perceives sustainability.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Alice frequently speaks at international forums such as COP28, Sheffield DocFest, and TEDx, where she advocates for inclusive climate storytelling and youth empowerment. Her podcast, Visionaries, brings together creators and thinkers exploring how imagination can drive change in an era of uncertainty.
Alice Aedy’s Online Presence and Influence
Instagram and Social Media Voice
With over 147,000 followers on Instagram (@aliceaedy), Alice curates an inspiring feed that blends behind-the-scenes glimpses of filmmaking with climate advocacy and visual poetry. Her posts, often captioned with thoughtful reflections, encourage audiences to stay informed, empathetic, and hopeful.
Professional Network and Public Engagement
On Twitter (@AedyAlice), she uses her platform to discuss storytelling ethics, environmental policy, and creative collaboration. She has a growing digital footprint as both a filmmaker and thought leader, bridging academic insight with accessible communication for global audiences.
Awards and Distinctions
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Forbes 30 Under 30 (Social Impact, Europe)
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National Geographic Explorer
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Nikon Ambassador
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Canon Europe Filmmaker Feature (2019)
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Art Scholarship, Godolphin and Latymer
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Featured in The Guardian, BBC, NY Times, Vogue, and BusinessGreen
Personal Life and Values
Alice Aedy lives in London, United Kingdom. Although much of her professional life is public, she maintains a private personal life, focusing her online presence on storytelling and activism. She was previously associated professionally and personally with Jack Harries, co-founder of Earthrise, with whom she continues to share the mission of creative climate communication.
Her values — empathy, equality, and environmental justice — shape everything she creates. She embodies the belief that storytelling can ignite change, and that visual culture has the power to transform society’s relationship with nature.
Conclusion – Alice Aedy’s Legacy in the Making
Alice Aedy is far more than a filmmaker; she is a storyteller of the human spirit and an architect of environmental empathy. Her work redefines what it means to communicate the climate crisis — not through statistics, but through emotion, imagination, and shared humanity. As a National Geographic Explorer, Nikon Ambassador, and CEO of Earthrise, she continues to inspire a generation of creators and activists to see the world not only as it is, but as it could be.
Her message remains timeless and urgent:
“When we see, we feel. When we feel, we act.”
And that, for Alice Aedy, is the purpose of storytelling — to make the invisible visible, and to turn awareness into action.
FAQs
1. Who is Alice Aedy?
Alice Aedy is a British documentary filmmaker, photographer, and climate activist. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Earthrise Studio, a National Geographic Explorer, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree for Social Impact.
2. How old is Alice Aedy?
Alice Aedy was born on 23 December 1993, making her 31 years old as of 2025.
3. Who is Alice Aedy’s partner?
Alice Aedy was previously linked with Jack Harries, a British filmmaker and environmental activist who co-founded Earthrise Studio with her. Their current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed.
4. What is Alice Aedy best known for?
She is best known for her climate storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and advocacy work through Earthrise Studio, which blends art, media, and activism to inspire change.
5. Where did Alice Aedy study?
Alice Aedy studied History and Politics at the London School of Economics (LSE) and later completed an MA in Ethnography and Documentary Film-Making at UCL.
